Kazakhstan Targets Low Recycling Rates with Electronic Waste Project

Kazakhstan has launched a comprehensive project to combat the rapidly growing electronic waste problem. Discarded phones, computers, and home appliances in the country are becoming an increasing environmental threat. However, currently, only a very small fraction of old electronic goods is officially collected and recycled. This situation leads to both the waste of valuable metals and the spread of harmful substances into the environment. Authorities appear determined to take concrete steps to close this gap, aiming to both strengthen the infrastructure and raise public environmental awareness.

Data revealed in a United Nations-supported report in 2023 strikingly highlights the magnitude of the problem. According to the report, Kazakhstan produced exactly 136.100 metric tons of electronic waste in 2019 alone. In contrast, the amount of recycling reflected in the official records of companies remained at only around 1.300 metric tons. This huge gap shows that official statistics can only capture a very small portion of the waste circulating in the market. While experts warn that the amount of waste will increase further in the future, it is noted that the current infrastructure will be insufficient to cope with this growth.

In order to address the scale of the problem, a new project was officially announced by the Kazakh government on 30 June in Astana. Supported by a 5 million dollar grant provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this initiative aims to improve the collection, recycling, and monitoring processes of waste. As part of the comprehensive project, household waste collection schemes will be tested in selected cities, and comprehensive technical support will be provided to recycling companies. Authorities believe that these steps will both modernize the waste management system and significantly increase the capacities of private companies in the sector.

Discarded electronic devices contain hazardous materials that pose serious threats to human health and the environment when not processed correctly. On the other hand, these end-of-life devices also contain valuable metals. For instance, raw materials such as copper and nickel are completely lost from the economic cycle when devices are not recycled. Therefore, electronic waste management is considered an integral part of not only environmental policies but also industrial policies and raw material supply issues. The Kazakhstan Environmental Code explicitly prohibits sending electronic waste to landfills and mandates that it be collected separately before being handed over to private companies.

This new initiative by Kazakhstan also aims to establish a collaboration platform that will bring together government agencies, the business community, recycling facilities, importers, and non-governmental organizations. Within the scope of the project, the sorting and safe transport processes of recycling companies will be improved, new tools will be provided for the detection of hazardous substances, and the recovery of valuable metals will be encouraged. Non-governmental organizations such as the Center for the Promotion of Sustainable Development emphasize that such collaborations are essential to integrate waste into a modern circular economy. The fact that pilot cities or target collection amounts have not yet been announced indicates how successful the project will be in the field will become clear in the coming months.